Sunderland agree Altidore deal

06 July 2013 10:16

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Sunderland and AZ Alkmaar have reached agreement over a deal for striker Jozy Altidore.

Press Association Sport understands the Eredivisie side has accepted an improved offer for the 23-year-old United States international and the Black Cats will now attempt to thrash out personal terms with him.

Sunderland's initial bid was rejected by AZ, but such is manager Paolo Di Canio's interest in the player that a second approach was always expected.

The Wearside outfit's interest in Altidore became apparent on Friday night when a statement connecting him with a move to the Black Cats appeared on the player's official website, only to be removed within hours.

Altidore has previous Premier League experience having spent the 2009-10 season on loan to Hull from Villarreal. He scored one league goal as the Tigers were relegated, and his English experience came to a premature end when he was sent off against Sunderland in the penultimate match of the season.

The American had joined Villarreal from New York Red Bulls in 2008 but spent much of his contract with the Spanish side on loan elsewhere, with Xerez, Hull and then Bursaspor.

The striker agreed a permanent move to AZ in July 2011 and finished his first campaign in Holland with a haul of 22 goals in all competitions before adding 23 goals for the 2012-13 Eredivisie season, helping the club to a first KNVB Cup in 31 years.

Altidore has also scored 17 goals in 60 appearances for his country after making his senior debut in 2007. Having failed to score since November 2011, he ended a lengthy goal drought in an international friendly victory over Germany in Washington DC last month.

Should the move go through, Altidore will join goalkeeper Vito Mannone, defenders Valentin Roberge and Modibo Diakite, midfielder Cabral and winger David Moberg Karlsson as part of Di Canio's new-look squad at the Stadium of Light.